BNP senior leader Mirza Abbas on Monday said the deposed Awami League will not be able to stage a comeback in Bangladesh politics if BNP and Jamaat remain united.

Speaking at a memorial meeting, he said that BNP is willing to rebuild the country alongside its longstanding ally, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, in the days ahead.

“We must strive for a unity so that we can rebuild this country beautifully. Let’s work we both work together for the sake of the nation. Together, we will adorn the country,” he said.

Abbas made the remarks during a discussion organised by the Dhaka south city unit of Jamaat at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh, in memory of those killed on that day in 2006 with oars and sticks.

Abbas, a BNP standing committee member, claimed that although the autocratic ruler Sheikh Hasina has fled to India, her associates remain in the country.

“The nation cannot progress while Hasina’s cohorts are in place in different positions, as they are devising various plots. However, if Jamaat and BNP work together, the Awami League will not be able to stage a comeback,” he observed.

Abbas said the nation achieved a Bangladesh without Hasina on August 5 after a long struggle and immense sacrifices. “We now desire a Bangladesh without the Awami League... the Awami League and decent people, the Awami League and democracy cannot coexist. The Awami League is actually devil's friend,” he mentioned.

He also urged all other democratic parties to unite in order to thwart the nefarious efforts of Hasina’s cohorts and the neighbouring country.